A BUSINESSMAN said he is "absolutely furious" after a bank placed one of his companies into administration and another into receivership.

Kenny Webster, owner of soft drink manufacturer Sangs and petrol station chain Calanike, said the companies had been "ripped away" without warning, putting 250 jobs on the line.

He questioned whether Allied Irish Bank was acting responsibly by taking the action.

Sangs, based in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, makes and distributes fizzy drinks, juices and water, including the Macb flavoured water brand, and is shirt sponsors of Partick Thistle football club.

The company, which employs around 60 people, also operates a wholesale delivery business from its headquarters in Aberdeenshire and a distribution centre in South Lanarkshire.

A company source said the Allied Irish Bank had recalled all the company's debts without warning.

Administrators Zolfo Cooper said the company was experiencing cashflow problems because of the challenging trading environment.

Mr Webster said: "To say that this has come as a shock is more than an understatement.

"Allied Irish decided to put Sangs into administration with almost immediate effect, giving us absolutely no opportunity to discuss it with them, or find an alternative solution, despite our pleas.

"That would be shocking enough but given that Sangs is a company in profit, in growth, with (despite information to the contrary) no cashflow issue and has never defaulted on a loan interest or supplier payment, I am completely at a loss to understand why they've done this.

"AIB also used a cross-guarantee to put Calanike in receivership. Previous to this, they had never once discussed the health of the company with us. This is a company that has net assets valued at almost £5 million, an excellent credit rating and, in our last financial year, profit before tax of £192,000."

He added: "They've put jobs on the line of more than 250 people without giving us the opportunity to refinance, which we could easily have done. They even knew about plans to sell Calanike, which would have totally cleared our debt.

"How on earth can this be described as responsible banking?"

Allied Irish Bank said it could not comment on individual cases.

Zolfo Cooper said it would continue to trade both companies while exploring "all possible options" for their future, including the sale of the businesses as going concerns.

Elizabeth Mackay, partner at Zolfo Cooper, said: "Unfortunately, as with many other businesses exposed to declining consumer spend, the deterioration in trading conditions in recent months has led to increased financial pressures on the business. Consequently administration was the only viable option remaining.

"However, Sangs has established a significant presence across Scotland and with its rich history, strong underlying core business and the growing Macb brand, we believe it is an attractive proposition for a range of potential buyers."

Calanike Retailing Limited operates 19 freehold petrol stations across mid-Scotland and northern England, which trade under the Esso, BP and other independent brands.

Headquartered in Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, the company employs about 170 staff.

The company went into receivership because it faced an "unsustainable financial position" in a "particularly challenging" sector, Zolfo Cooper said.